PM Modi inaugurates Chhattisgarh's new Vidhan Sabha, unveils Atal Bihari Vajpayee statue's on silver jubilee
Raipur, Nov 1
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the majestic new Chhattisgarh Assembly building in Nava Raipur by ceremonial ribbon cutting, marking the state's 25th foundation day with a blend of cultural pride and modern governance.
He also unveiled a life-size statue of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna recipient Atal Bihari Vajpayee and planted a sapling under the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign, reinforcing environmental commitment.
Accompanied by Governor Raman Deka, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker Raman Singh, PM Modi lauded the complex as a symbol of Chhattisgarh's progress since its formation in 2000.
"This Vidhan Sabha is not just a building; it is the heartbeat of democracy, rooted in tradition and soaring toward innovation," he said, addressing a gathering of legislators, tribal artists, and citizens.
Spanning 51 acres in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, the Rs 324-crore complex replaces makeshift venues--a private school and government offices--used earlier.
Designed around the theme "Dharti Dhurandhar," it fuses Chhattisgarhi heritage with cutting-edge sustainability. The assembly hall, with a 200-seat capacity (expandable post-delimitation), features a ceiling carved with rice grains and leaves, honouring the state's "Rice Bowl" identity.
Tribal motifs adorn doors and walls, celebrating Bastar's art and local craftsmanship. Eco-conscious from foundation to finish, the complex boasts solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and green spaces.
The building has three blocks, a 500-seat auditorium, parking for 850 vehicles, and integrated facilities - allopathic, homoeopathic, and Ayurvedic hospitals, bank, post office, and canteen--that cater to public needs on the lower ground floor.
"This is a people's Vidhan Sabha, open, transparent, and inclusive," Chief Minister Sai remarked.
As the ceremony, part of Chhattisgarh's silver jubilee, resonated with Vajpayee's legacy - he carved out the state from Madhya Pradesh, PM Modi paid tribute to his predecessor.
"Atal ji's vision gave Chhattisgarh identity; today, this building carries his dream forward."
The unveiling of the bronze statue, set amid landscaped gardens, drew applause as schoolchildren waved tricolours.
The event dovetailed with earlier inaugurations - Rs 14,260 crore in road, health, and energy projects - and a moving interaction with 2,500 children cured of heart defects.
As the tricolour unfurled atop the dome, Chhattisgarh stepped into its next quarter-century with a legislative beacon that marries heritage, democracy, and sustainability.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Wonderful to see Atal ji being honored. He was the visionary who gave us our separate state identity. The statue unveiling was a fitting tribute on our silver jubilee. Jai Chhattisgarh! 🇮🇳
Impressed by the eco-friendly features - solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and green spaces. This sets a great example for sustainable government infrastructure. Hope other states follow this model!
While the building looks magnificent, I hope our MLAs use this space for meaningful debates and actual development work. Infrastructure is good, but what matters is how it serves the people of Chhattisgarh.
Love how they've incorporated local craftsmanship and Bastar art! This truly makes it our own Vidhan Sabha, not just another government building. The rice grain motifs on ceiling - brilliant touch for our rice bowl state!
The integrated facilities - hospitals, bank, post office on ground floor - show thoughtful planning. Makes government services more accessible to common people. Hope this becomes standard for all government complexes.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.